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Hi All,
Just a quick question.
If I replace the original factory stereo head unit with an identical replacement from another car - is there a security code required?
In other words, do I have to get a code with the purchase?
This a 99 GS300 with this head unit:
Pioneer, Toyota pn 86120-3A520 KEX-M8076ZT
Thanks.
I do AUX mods and MP3 player add ons for quite a few local vehicles. All we have here in Taiwan is GS300 and all are USDM versions. Only once have I encountered a security code. That was in a 98.
Oh, right, I stole your picture - to show to you!
You probably know better than anyone!
I read your great post on the AUX mod.
My head unit works, by the display is dead. Nothing to see.
I want to buy a replacement on ebay and then do your AUX mod to it.
It's very rare to have a security code. U can look for the security sticker in the driver's window of the donor vehicle. Otherwise there isn't any way to check without power it up
I swapped mine out with the same unit from a junkyard and it worked fine except the display half worked.. back light didn't work and tuner **** not working.
Do a lot of people have non working tuner *****? This is the 2nd unit I got without it working
The screen and the ***** are the 2 common failures in the Base Pioneer Stereos. For a long time there was a company selling new lcd screens and had other solutions for them but they have long since moved on. Now it’s a gamble at the wrecking yard, or top dollar for one that’s certified to be working perfectly. I went thru a few junk yard ones before finally getting one without issues. If I remember right, i could get my whole screen to work for a few moments, long enough to find a new station, by turning the head lights on.
Before I sold my aux-modded unit, the tuner **** on mine still worked, but that's because I hardly ever touched it. As for the LCD screen, I de-soldered the proprietary connector from the old screen and soldered it onto a brand new one direct from Pioneer, and that new screen only lasted for about 4-5 years before it started losing an LCD segment as well. Fortunately, that segment was one that doesn't appear when you have the unit set on CD or AM/FM, so I didn't really ever notice it unless I went into the balance and fader settings.
None of these old head units were made to last this long. It's time to go aftermarket if you want a head unit that is guaranteed to be fully working. It won't look stock if that's your aesthetic, but I was happy to gain a boatload of additional functionality.
The screen and the ***** are the 2 common failures in the Base Pioneer Stereos. For a long time there was a company selling new lcd screens and had other solutions for them but they have long since moved on. Now it’s a gamble at the wrecking yard, or top dollar for one that’s certified to be working perfectly. I went thru a few junk yard ones before finally getting one without issues. If I remember right, i could get my whole screen to work for a few moments, long enough to find a new station, by turning the head lights on.
Those are the two issues I’m having with my radio. I didn’t know it was common on the Pioneer radios, as I was planning on grabbing another radio at the junkyard. It might be easier to install an aftermarket radio in my case.
09-18-17, 12:09 AM
99 GS300 OEM stero replacement - codes?
